After returning from Thanksgiving break, anxious educators turned their eyes this week to the fate of the tax bill in Congress.

The bill, currently on the Senate floor, touches on many contentious educational issues, including whether to continue federal deductions for state and local taxes, a change that could upend school finances. Legislators also need to hash out differences on deductions for teachers’ out-of-pocket expenses and school choice. The 74’s Carolyn Phenicie explores the multiple educational issues wrapped up in the legislation. Read her analysis here.

Meanwhile, across the country, very different issues are driving local education conversations. Here are seven storylines we’re watching this week from states that are home to America’s dozen biggest school districts — and more than 4 million public school students: